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A Very MSE Advent 2025

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Comments

  • EssexHebridean
    EssexHebridean Posts: 25,381 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I need to go through Christmas presents too and see what else I need to get. Pleased to hear that your break has started in a cafe too - very cheerful! 
    🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
    Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
    Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
    £100k barrier broken 1/4/25
    Balance as at 31/08/25 = £ 95,450.00. Balance as at 31/12/25 = £ 91,100.00
    SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculator
    she/her
  • KajiKita
    KajiKita Posts: 9,258 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    Oooh ... I didn't know silver could be so effectively cleaned with toothpaste. I have some old (I have owned them a long time, not originals or anything like that!), Rennie Mackintosh (again ;) ) earrings that really desperately need a clean before they can be worn. Might try that this weekend :)

    KK
    As at 15.01.26:
    - When bought house £315,995 mortgage debt and end date at start = October 2039 - now £222,084
    - OPs to mortgage = £12,881 Estd. interest saved = £6,203 to date
    c. 16 months reduction in term
    Fixed rate 3.85% ends October 2030

    Read 5 books of target 52 in 2026 as @ 13th January 
    Produce tracker: £29 of £400 in 2026

    Watch your thoughts, they become your words.
    Watch your words, they become your actions. 
    Watch your actions, they become your reality. 
  • Cherryfudge
    Cherryfudge Posts: 14,320 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I've had a slow morning, a bit of a reaction to busy days [receding it. However, it's sunny with a clear blue sky and I have on my grey, gold and cream Christmas jumper and am watching the wild birds on the feeder outside the window: blue ones and long-tailed ones that would be censored if I typed their full titles.

    Toiletries-wise, I've found a tiny hand cream which is good quality but overpowering scent so I've taken it to the bathroom to use on my feet after my bath tonight - that way the feet will benefit but I should be far enough from the perfume!

    I'm putting a chicken in the slow cooker any minute now and will defrost some more berries for cereal - which won't make up for the space the excess chicken will take in the freezer, but it's a step in the right direction.
    I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
    The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)

    Fashion on the Ration 2025: Fabric 2, men's socks 3, Duvet 7.5, 2 t-shirts 10, men's socks 3, uniform top 0, hat 0, shoes 5 = 30.5/68
    2024: Trainers 5, dress 7, slippers 5, 2 prs socks (gift) 2, 3 prs white socks 3, t-shirts x 2 10, 6 prs socks: mostly gifts 6, duvet set 7.5 = 45.5/68 coupons
    20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/22
  • Makingabobor2
    Makingabobor2 Posts: 4,561 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    Found 2 more books in CS by DH's latest fave author & bought scratch cards for everyone. Realised I dont have as much butter as I thought. So need to pop out again, as want to bake tomorrow
    Making the debt go down and savings go up

    LBM 2015 - debt £57K / Now £27,424....its going down

     Mortgage Free December 9th 2024!      18mths ahead of schedule.  

    Challenges

    EF  £1150/£3000
    .

    Studies/surveys January £35.35

    Decluttering items 1402/    2025.  53/2026
    Books read    23 in 2025.  2026- 2 (target is 52)  
    Jigsaws done  20 in 2025.  2026  

    My debt free diary...https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6396218/we-will-get-this-debt-d£own-the-savings-up


  • Rhyddid2026
    Rhyddid2026 Posts: 907 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Rhyddid2026 said:
    The toothpaste has worked a treat @daisy_1571 I used it on a soft cloth. 
    Today I will be wearing an old silver bracelet as my Advent joy 😊 


    I also went to a children's Christmas Ball and wore a Christmas jumper :)
    Debts                04/01/25         02/01/26  
    Natwest2           £6,509.97       £5,500 
    NatWest CC      £7,612.74       £6,605
    Lloyds CC          £6,112.60      £4,450
    1st Direct CC     £176.03         £39.26
    CC total             £20,411.34    £16,594.26
    TSB OD             £500              £0
    1st Direct OD     £600              £0
    Car loan             £4,000           £4,000
    1st Direct Loan  £10,684.44    £7.880
    Total                  £36,195.78    £28,474.26
    EF £701.52
    HF  £3.04
  • Rhyddid2026
    Rhyddid2026 Posts: 907 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I wonder if my bracelet goes with your earrings @KajiKita

    Debts                04/01/25         02/01/26  
    Natwest2           £6,509.97       £5,500 
    NatWest CC      £7,612.74       £6,605
    Lloyds CC          £6,112.60      £4,450
    1st Direct CC     £176.03         £39.26
    CC total             £20,411.34    £16,594.26
    TSB OD             £500              £0
    1st Direct OD     £600              £0
    Car loan             £4,000           £4,000
    1st Direct Loan  £10,684.44    £7.880
    Total                  £36,195.78    £28,474.26
    EF £701.52
    HF  £3.04
  • weenancyinAmerica
    weenancyinAmerica Posts: 2,316 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    Toothpaste will clean your silver teapot too - even plated ones.
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